VP Rangel wishes the US transparent elections 'a la Venezuela'!

31.10.04 - Venezuelan Vice President Josť Vicente Rangel Sunday said he is absolutely confident that the National Electoral Council (CNE) is an impartial arbiter and said he wished elections in the United States were "as transparent as the Venezuelan electoral process."

He ensured that the regional and local election is taking place in peace, but admitted he is concerned about abstention, saying that abstention rates are traditionally high in Venezuelan regional and local elections.

Rangel indicated that voters may witness the scrutiny of the ballots, but not an audit to be conducted on the computerized balloting machines once the election is completed.